Words for Moms

Archive for August, 2009

My friend who is a new mom commented on observation, that just as her baby daughter was starting to get into a predictable nap schedule, she changed and started waking up half way during the nap. This became a concern for the new mom, because the baby would cry and then fall back to sleep. She hoped that she was doing the right thing by letting the baby cry herself to sleep. I am sure that by now, that is old news, and there a another new concern on the horizon.

No matter how old your children are, just when you think that you have them figured out, they throw you for a loop. There is unpredictable as well and like the rest of us, they are constantly dealing with new situations.

This was brought home yesterday. My son had gone out for spring training for high school football for the kicker position. He had played a lot of soccer, but never really paid much attention to football. He was asked to come to the training. He liked it, but hurt himself during the training, and was overwhelmed by life. He decided not to continue to play. Thinking that he may change his mind, I did not take my name off the parent list. On Monday, I received a message for team parents. I was certain now that he was not going to play, so I took my name off the list. During supper Ian tells us that due to a injury, the coaches asked him to reconsider. During the discussion to follow, I remain serious, but I was laughing inside. How am I going to Rachel to put my name back on the parent list?? Time to each some crow….

If you want a calm, predictable life…then parenting is not for you. On the other hand, I could not imagine life without my children. Life would be awfully boring.

One of the big lessons you learn from your children is humility. Children have a way of working the pride out your.

The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers
but gives grace to the humble.
The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame. Proverbs 3:33-35 (N.I.V.)

As a young or expectant mom it is important that you keep an open mind. It is easy to judge other parents, and say “I will never do that”. It isn’t on the big moral issues where this is an issue. It is the small things where we learn parenting is a big challenge.

We all have days when we say or do things we regret. We also have days where our children show there sinful nature in ways we never expected.

For me it was in the area food, that God’s humbled me. Before I had children I was so frustrated with children who were so fussy. I was certain that my kids were going to each right. I read up on how to make sure that they developed tastes for healthy foods. I ended up with some of the fussiest eaters!! My daughter, who is about to mom now, would not each fruit or vegetable…and still doesn’t each much in these food groups. It seems like a small issue now, but with small children getting through mealtimes is a big deal.

My encouraging words for moms today are to let moms know that sometimes the best plans will fail. We do our best, but we are dealing with children with free wills and it is okay that they are not perfect. We do our best to bring them up to be followers of God and upstanding citizens but there will be days when all does not go right. Those are the days to lean on God, ask for His grace, and trust Him to take the children the extra step.